A trip to the world famous Drakensberg mountain range sees many whipping out their camera time and time again, The region’s beauty gives meaning to the words majestic and dramatic. Listening to the wind, gurgling rivers and birdsong, dwarfed by your surrounds, you almost need to pinch yourself to check that it’s not a dream. Enjoy a list of our top accommodation in the Drakensberg to make your stay memorable.
It’s clear that you come to these mountains because of the views, the hiking, the waterfalls, the rainbows, the bird life, the natural space and the silence. The Drakensberg is a dramatically spectacular destination with so much to do.
There is something very special about family- owned and managed lodges and hotels; they tend to have a spirit of generosity and warmth that replenishes your soul. The Drakensberg is home to a network of these properties and in an era of pandemic; it is these smaller establishments that make for the most ideal getaways for family retreats, honeymoons, pet friendly stays and relaxing holidays.
Antbear Lodge – Giants Castle
What makes this lodge particularly special is that they offer accommodation in a luxury cave. This is an accommodation unit built under a rock. Glass doors open onto a wooden deck with hammock chairs and a spectacular view of the Drakensberg Mountains. Read more here…
This is a luxury eco experience. The cave is cosy and comfortable with features like a Jacuzzi spa bath and a fireplace and even has rock art on its walls. They also offer a private dining experience where we setup a table on the deck of your cave and you dine by candlelight under the stars. A super plus point is that this is one of the best pet friendly accommodation venues in the Drakensberg.
Sustainability and responsible tourism are a huge part of the ethos of the lodge and they subscribe as much as possible to the farm to plate concept. They cook all our meals from scratch and have our own organic vegetable garden. We have our own chickens for eggs, cows for milk and bake our own bread and we even make our own cheese.
Antbear Lodge also offers horse trails ideally suited to beginners. Hot air balloon flights that launch from the lawn in front of the lodge and our newest attraction is our star gazing hammock camp where we tell the Zulu stories of the stars.
Ardmore Guest Farm – Monks Cowl
The Ardmore Guest Farm offers an agritourist experience that is unsurpassed. Escape the crowds to this lodge where you will find space, peace and beautiful scenery. Ardmore is a 150 ha organic timber farm situated in the Champagne Valley in the picturesque Drakensberg mountains in KwaZulu-Natal. Read more here…
You can stay in an individual mountain facing cottage (2 or 3 bedrooms), bungalow or one of the garden-facing studio rooms. All the units have en-suite bathrooms with Jacuzzi spa baths and wood fireplaces. Either dine in our restaurant or choose our new self-catering option, you can now enjoy Bed and Breakfast, Dinner, Bed and Breakfast or now Self Catering options.
They also have a tea garden so you should never go hungry. They also have some fenced cottages so you don’t need to leave your pet behind, they’ll love the walks on the farm.
Three Tree Hill Lodge – Spionkop
The Three Tree Hill Lodge finds itself in a setting of pure serenity. They are a strong advocate of responsible tourism, this eco-friendly lodge is Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) certified and actively involved in the local community. With its economical use of electricity and water (as well as a rigorous recycling program), Three Tree Hill Lodge strives to impact the environment as little as possible.
The Spionkop Nature Reserve affords plenty of opportunities to get in touch with the surrounding environment and to learn more about this land. Explore the Drakensberg foothills on guided nature walks or go mountain biking through the reserve. Bird lovers will be pleased to learn that around 300 bird species have been recorded in the area.
Accommodation is a throwback to a bygone era, with soft wooden interiors and antique sash windows. Each room or suite has a private deck with sprawling views of the surrounding wilderness. The open-plan main lodge houses an elegant dining room and a lounge area with dozens of board games and puzzles.
Sycamore Avenue – Kwazulu-Natal Midlands
The Sycamore Avenue Treehouses and Cottages are an eccentric, unique and romantic accommodation on the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Meander. Their artistically designed treehouses will inspire and encourage you to relax, unwind and relive your childhood fantasies.
Come and enjoy yourself by either soaking in a private spa, warming you by a cosy fire or indulging in a glass of wine on the patio whilst watching the sunset over Giants Castle in the Drakensberg.
Malachite Manor – Underberg
The Manor has been lovingly designed and handcrafted by owner, Mike Pieterse, using Pin Oak, Cypress and Kiaat timber sourced from the surrounding forests. The unique combination of traditional, contemporary and comfortable features, include spacious rooms, intimate dinning, cosy bar with fireplace for those colder mountain nights and a gallery library for lazy days. Malachite Manor is a place in which you can truly kick back in style.
If you would like to download a free Drakensberg activity and accommodation guide as an eBook get it here
If you would like any advice and more Drakensberg information get it here
